The Freedom to Create

.........are thoughts and words of gratitude. Sipping h ot coffee as I look out the kitchen window, "Good morning Creative Spirit. How are we going to play?" The weather conditions are not my ideal but I know the Creative Spirit will undoubtedly find a way to dissolve the clouds and rain away.  It's rainy, windy and cold so I'll put on my thick green garden boots and my green fishing cap to brave the elements. Remember the colorform boards where we would dress the boy or girl creating a scene with that plastic that stuck to the board? That was fun! I think I will be one of those. Have to go out and feed my herd of goat (nope didn't forget the "s"- I only have one and she is precious). This is Molly  Hey Creative Spirit, we had such fun drawing "Elsie the Cow". I went on to select another project. This one I am not having as much fun with. It has to much "me" in it. What would You like to do with it? If it were left up to me ...

Elsie says "MOOOOOO-rning". It is such a gorgeous day she's decided to jump off the table and go out to pasture to play with Molly. Keep your pencil sharp. I brought out the #6 pencil to deepen the dark shades using short strokes for hair on her body, face and nose. Deepened the dark areas on the crown, ears and eyes also. She was fun to play with and now it's time for her to go play. On to another project. Bye!

This little bovine is becoming more real as I work on the hair detailing above the eyes and ears and adding the little freckles on her nose. Keep your pencil sharp. I had used an eraser to lighten some areas giving depth to the overall look. She is a glamor girl for sure. Well time for her to head into the barn. Tomorrow we may finish her up. Hope you've enjoyed Elsie today as much as I have. Look forward to hearing from you. 

Elsie says "MOOOOOO-rning!" as we get started on today. No Elsie didn't need milking. She's enjoying the bright sunny gorgeous day while sitting on the kitchen table. Keep your pencil sharp. To start I am using a #4 pencil to increase the shaded area. In the photograph her picture was taken on a  sunshiney day so there are a lot of different tonal areas on her. I see by this posting her left ear looks natural with the different shades even though the light source is coming from the right, that right ear doesn't look as natural. But she is a "work in progress" so I'm not to concerned. I am happy with the shading under her chin on the left side it is appearing to have more of a "hair" texture to it along with her belly shading with the natural dimples. I love her nose and it feels as though I can pet her.  I know she is enjoying all this attention. Woops! Molly the goat outside is getting jealous. Hope you follow along today. I would...

Hi I'm back with stage 3 of playing with Elsie. Still using a #2 pencil. I thought I should attach her head to something. So I set in some of her body. Layering the dark areas, enhancing her eyes and putting in more shading. Keep your pencil sharp. I think I will stick her back in the barn for today. Tomorrow I will move on to a #4 pencil to emphasize the darker midtones.

Ok I am back. This is the second layering on "Elsie". I think she is progressing. This girl has a lot of shading. So far I am only using a #2 pencil. Always keep your pencil sharpened. On this layering I worked primarily on the bridge and nose. I work all around as to see some contrast in the shading. I want her nose to "pop" out at you. Also added the reflective areas on the eyes and enhanced her gorgeous eyelashes a bit. Now this gal has some cornrolls don't you think? I think this will be all for today. I will try to come back tomorrow. Sometimes when I put it away for awhile I can come back with a fresh set of eyes. I hope you've enjoyed this as much as I have. I look forward to your comments. See you tomorrow.

Today it is cold and raining. What a great time for painting.  I saw a picture of a cow in a magazine. Sh e looked so sweet I knew I just had to paint her. Rounding up my materials to spread across the kitchen table, I hav e my paper, pencils, pencil sharpener, eraser and the photograph of "Elsie" from the magazine. This is the first stage of "Elsie". Taking a step back I can see that I usually put to much in ( to much detailing). So I need to relax and not be so tight. I am aiming for realism and a sweet expression.  Time for a break. Hope you will follow along and please feel free to post your comments. I would love to hear what you think.